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Injury-time winner for Gills

Mark McCammon slides in to make sure the Gills winner crosses the line. Picture: Matthew Reading
Mark McCammon slides in to make sure the Gills winner crosses the line. Picture: Matthew Reading

Darlington 1 Gillingham 2

Gillingham grabbed a winning goal at Darlington two minutes into added time to seal their first victory of the season.

Garry Richards and Mark McCammon both claimed the decisive goal which came after Darlington failed to deal with Nicky Southall?s corner kick.

Southall's corner kick caused trouble in Darlington?s area and Richards back heeled the ball goalwards towards McCammon, on the line and he helped it home through a crowd on the line.


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The Gills were sitting on a one goal lead, courtesy of striker Simeon Jackson but Rob Purdie?s goal from the spot levelled it up 12 minutes from time.

Gillingham had survived a number of scares early on and made the home side pay, when on 21 minutes Jackson brushed off two chasing defenders, before tucking the ball past keeper Simon Brown.

Jackson had a chance to double the lead just two minutes later when he was set free by Mark McCammon but the striker hit his shot well wide.

Darlington?s Purdie had wasted a couple of chances to put his side ahead while Adam Griffin?s chance late in the half was also missed.

Jackson remained Gillingham?s best threat going forward and Brown had to be alert to tip an effort over the bar just before the hour.

Simon Royce, who was back in the team after recovering from a virus, had to be at his best to tip Neil Austin?s lob over the bar after 66 minutes and from the resulting corner watched Ian Miller head just over.

The home side were looking good for an equaliser and Royce was called upon once more to save a low drilled shot from substitute Curtis Main.

Darlington finally got their equaliser on 78 minutes from the penalty spot. Franz Burgmeier was brought down by Curtis Weston and Purdie fired home the spot-kick.

Jackson almost netted a late winner for Gillingham but Brown was equal to the shot and saved with his legs. Dennis Oli also put a header over the bar as the visitors finished strongly before Gills celebrated a late, late winner.

Gillingham assistant manager Scott Barrett said: "Teams are going to have to go to Darlington and defend for their lives because they?re a good footballing side.

"They have a fantastic stadium and they are always going to make it difficult for teams. I don?t think there will be too many teams who go there and get a 2-1 win so we?re very pleased with it.

"I think the goal is going to go down to Garry Richards. He had the last touch but we don?t really care because it?s three points and that?s what we came for. We?ll take a win and it doesn?t matter how the ball goes in."


Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, King, Richards, Crofts, Weston (Bentley 79mins), Berry (Southall 58mins), McCammon, Jackson (Mulligan 89mins), Oli. Subs not used: Miller, Julian.

Darlington: Brown, Austin, Foster, Miller, Kennedy, Proudlock (Main 74mins), Purdie, Ravenhill (Hulbert 74mins), Poole, Griffin (Burgmeier 55mins), Clarke. Subs not used: Kazimierczak, Blundell.

Attendance: 2,832

Referee: Mr C Pawson.

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